One worry for female contractors is what to do in the case of pregnancy - could a client sue if they leave early?

Contractor Doctor on contractorcalulator.com offers advice on this subject, answering the query of a woman worried about her job after she signed up to a new contract for six months and registered with a new umbrella company at the same time. However, she is now pregnant and wants to work for only three months more.

Paul Chamberlain, Employment Partner with law firm Brabners Chaffe Street, writes on the website that although the simple answer is that the client cannot sue, there are important lessons to be learnt from this woman's case.

As she went through an umbrella company, he says, any legal action would be directed at them rather than the contractor themself.

In addition, she opted for a break clause contract, meaning her employment is not fixed term and leaves her free to exercise this.

Meanwhile Brian McDaniel, with 15 years freelancing experience, has written on Freelancefolder.com that part time contractors must consider their current financial situation before going into freelancing full time.